When your baby starts to get those hard nubs to develop in their gumline, their baby teeth are trying to burst through. While you may have to apply some oral anesthetic to your baby’s gums to help with the pain your little one is feeling, when those teeth do emerge they will need to be cared for.

Baby teeth help children transition from a liquid diet to a solid one, and they also support your child’s development in other ways. Teeth are essential to learning how to speak clearly and for giving you those grins that melt your heart. Those tiny chompers also keep space open in your child’s jaw so that when adult teeth come through they will have their place.

Your child’s baby teeth will stay in their mouth for many years. Then when your child reaches age six, those adult teeth will start to push on those baby teeth. Eventually, baby teeth will start to fall out. Now your child will have random holes in their mouth until their full adult teeth fill the gap. 

How Can You Care For Your Baby’s New Teeth?

At approximately six months, teeth are going to start protruding in your baby’s mouth. By age three, your child should have a full mouth of baby teeth. Even though those baby teeth are not permanent, it is still important to care for them and keep them clean. Several studies have shown that not taking care of baby teeth can cause them to rot or have other issues. When this happens your child is very likely to have ongoing oral health issues as the child gets older.

To set your child up for the most healthy mouth and overall wellness, you should engage in a preventative dental routine that includes the following actions:

• Just like you would do for yourself,  you should also be doing for your baby’s teeth. This means brushing them at least two times per day. This typically is when your child awakes and then before they go to bed.
• Brush every part of your children’s teeth for approximately two minutes in total.
• Use regular toothpaste for your baby’s teeth but just in a very small amount. A grain of rice is a good rule of thumb for how much toothpaste to use up until they turn age three.
• Add flossing at least one time each day to remove organic debris from between teeth.
• Always have your recommended dental appointments booked in advance so you do not forget them.
• Keep sugary drinks and food to a minimum.
• Talk to your child’s dentist to see when a sealant for their teeth is recommended.
• Speak to your dentist about when your child should have a professional fluoride treatment.

Speak to a San Diego Family Dentist Today

It is not uncommon for new parents to be confused and unsure about how to care for their baby’s teeth. This is normal. You can have all of your family’s dental questions answered by meeting with your local dentist. If you live in or around the San Diego area, call McBride Dental. The San Diego family dentist can give you feedback and guidance on how to keep your teeth and those of your family healthy. Contact McBride Dental today to talk with the dentist or to professional cleaning and examination in San Marcos at (760) 471-1003.